Flavours of Fathering in the Indian Capital: Insights from a Qualitative Study

Abstract

In India, along with rapid societal changes in the last few decades, there has been a change in the way parents, especially fathers, perceive parenting and childcare. To move forward with the changing context, fathers are increasingly negotiating their masculinity and paternal role boundaries. This study aimed to generate qualitative findings regarding the meaning of fatherhood for men as well as the role and responsibility that biological fathers from middle-income families in Delhi are taking in the care and upbringing of their children during the crucial early years. The study involved detailed semi-structured interviews of 18 fathers with a grounded theory-based analysis of the data. These findings not only highlight the current role of fathers in child rearing but also provide avenues for programming to maximise the benefit that children can receive from paternal care. In addition, it also throws more light on the life trajectories and the softer side of men as parents.